Travel Dominica

The food and drink in Dominica which is appreciated, like the culture has been strongly influenced by the European settlers, Africa slaves and Carib Indians who left their mark on this land hundreds of years ago. Dominica foods and local Dominica drinks are prepared using inherited Creole methods. International dishes are also served at Dominica restaurants and Dominica hotels but the Caribbean and authentic Dominica dishes are more popular.

Dining in Dominica can be an exciting experience especially to a novice. Dominica foods and Dominica dishes are as colorful as the history and tradition of the country. One thing you are guaranteed when eating at local Dominica restaurants: is that your food, fruits and vegetables are fresh! The Island has fertile volcanic soil enables the farmers to produce fresh tasty crops and fruits in abundance. Now that healthy eating habits are a high priority for everyone organic farming is on the rise in Dominica.

Food and drink in Dominica are prepared using lots of vegetables, sea foods and provisions which are really root crops. Fruits include; oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, a wide variety of mangoes, West Indian cherries, Plums, pineapples, papaya, guavas, limes among others. Root crops include tannia, dasheen, potatoes, green bananas, plantains and yams. Vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, and spinach are readily available. Spices and seasoning such as cinnamon, ginger, celery, parsley, nutmegs, and chives all add a true Caribbean flavor to food and drinks. Local pepper sauces are very popular to add that extra punch to a dish. Fresh coconut milk is used to add taste to a variety of dishes. Fishing villages are able to provide restaurants with fresh fish, lobster and shell fish on a daily basis.

Dominica foods and dishes are extremely tasty and can sometimes be infused with hot or tasty spcies; persons can always request their foods to be prepared without spices. Authentic local dishes found on menus include; pealau which is a caramel colored rice and chicken meal, Creole fish, crab backs, titiri accras (fritters made out of tiny fish), fish broth, goat water among others. The most exotic of Dominica dishes is the mountain chicken. This is the National dish and is prepared using the mountain chicken which is really a large frog. This Dominica food can be prepared in a several ways and is always very tasty. It is called mountain chicken because it is said to taste like chicken. The dominica Mountain chicken is a protectd species and can only be hunted during the months November and March.

Unlike most of the more developed countries fast food chains is almost nonexistent; however more recently two international franchises KFC and Subway have been opened and add to the Variety of foods in Dominica.

A major contribution to authentic and culturally rich Dominica food and Dominica drink has come from the Carib Indians - who are indigenous to the island have preserved some of their cooking traditions. Perhaps the most familiar of these is the preparation of Cassava bread and Farine. Little have been changed in the preparation of the bread and farine. Carib farmers still use exact (not modified) traditional methods to process this root crop into an excellent bread and ground product called farine which can be used as a cereal or prepared the eaten combined with ripe avocadoes.

Vegetarian cuisine is widely practiced in Dominica. This was made more popular by the Rastafarian community on the island and as a result there are vegetarian restaurants and most hotels and restaurants have included vegetarian meals to their menus. The Rastafarians believe that on should only eat natural organic Dominica foods. Vegetarian meals are prepared using all natural ingredients.

Perhaps what makes eating in Dominica unique and an enjoyable experience are the roadside vendors who sell many Dominica foods and Dominica drinks. The foods charteictic of Dominica vendors include barbecue pork, steamed fish, bakes(and some filling) and fried chicken. Local sweets treats such as gooseberry sticks, unbreakable, tamarind balls, tablet, and many other Dominica treats to ooh and ahhh over.

Local beverages are available everywhere and are almost always made from fresh Dominica foods and products. Herbal teas are very popular and can be bought as pre packaged tea bags or the fresh herbs and spices can be bought at the local market. Every visitor to the island must sample a cup of cocoa tea. This is the original ingredient used to make chocolate in its pure form. Added to this are spices such as cinnamon, nutmegs and cloves to give it an exceptional taste. Diary milk, soy milk or coconut milk is also added. Coffee is a popular beverage in Dominica and freshly ground coffee is served at most hotels and restaurants. Coffee was grown on estates in Dominica during colonial times and is still grown in the rural areas. Many persons in the rural area still use the mortar and pestle (traditional method passed on by African ancestors) to ground coffee.

Dominica drinks such as Fruit Drinks and tropical fruit punches are very popular since there is an abundance of luscious fruits. Most local juices are in their purest form with little or no sugar added at times. Fruit punches can have alcohol added or not. Fruits also make good deserts. Local companies package fruit drinks, fruit syrups and fruit treats such as jams and jellies for sale. Sea Moss is another popular drink in Dominica. As it name suggests it is a drink made from dried sea weed and a mixture of spices such as cinnamon, nutmegs and vanilla is added for extra flavor.

Although many rums and beers are not produced here that little that is done are of very good quality. Dominica’s only beer Kubuli has received several prestigious international awards. It has been said it gets its unique flavor from the natural spring water that is used during brewing. Soca Rum and Red Cap are two rums produced by a local rum factory on the island and is very popular among the locals. They are very tasty rums and can also be added to punches. Cask rum is extremely popular on the island and like in the old days person wishing to purchase it have to provide their own contains. The rum is then poured directly form a huge barrel or a cask. Locals add spices such as vanilla, cinnamon, Bois Bande to give the rum added flavor. The Bois Bande is a tree back it is believed to be an aphrodisiac. The cask rum is very good for making coconut and peanut which is very popular and is also produced and packaged for sale by local factories. There is a wide variety of well known alcoholic beverages and wines available at supermarkets everywhere on the island. Dominica Food and Dominica drinks are simple but perfectly delicious; Dining in Dominica is an experience you won’t soon forget.